Flotation device for ships



April 1962 J. GIROLAME ET AL 3,028,828

FLOTATION DEVICE FOR SHIPS Filed Sept. 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig] 2 40 42 Joseph Giro/ame Cosmo li'olame 1 N VENTORS BY "it/W mg,

J. GIROLAME ET AL FLOTATION DEVICE FOR SHIPS April 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1960 m M u M MMN Wm a 6G 00 W p mm Z JC W April 1962 J. GIROLAME ET AL 3,028,828

FLOTATION DEVICE FOR SHIPS Filed Sept. 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.3

SAFETY .ulabnno Joseph Gkolame Cosme 67ra/ame IN VEN TORS 8 April 10, 1962 J. GIROLAME ET AL 3,028,828 FLOTATION DEVICE FOR SHIPS Filed Sept. 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Joseph Giro/ame & Cosmo Giro/ame INVENTORS BY m, 'zsyv United States This invention relates to a novel and useful flotation device for ships and more particularly to a flotation device specifically adapted to prevent the sinking of a crippled ship.

A floatation device of the instant invention includes provision of a belt assembly adapted to be carried by and to extend about the sides of substantially every type of ship. As will be hereinafter more fully set forth, the belt assembly may be constructed in a manner to be housed in somewhat a concealed position between decks of a ship or it may be carried by the outer surfaces of the sides of a ship and project laterally and outwardly therefrom so as to also function as a bumper assembly completely encircling the ship.

A belt assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced flotation compartments with each of the compartments including at least one flotation assembly comprising first, second and third flotation members, said members comprising a plurality of superposed cork blocks, inflatable air chambers and a plurality of wood blocks respectively. The cork blocks of the first flotation member are horizontally disposed and vertically stacked with the air chamber of the second flotation member disposed immediately therebeneath and the third flotation member, whose blocks are also vertically stacked, disposed immediately beneath the air chamber of the second flotation member.

The first, second and third flotation members are secured together by means of a vertically extending bolt slidably disposed therethrough and the upper end of each of the bolts is slidably disposed and secured through a suitable bore formed in a horizontal mounting plate while the lower end of each of the bolts is slidably disposed and secured through a lower plate disposed beneath the lowermost cork block of the third flotation member, a lower plate being provided for each of said flotation assemblies.

The belt assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced flotation compartments and each flotation compartment includes at least one flotation assembly. If it is desired each flotation compartment may include a plurality of transversely spaced flotation assemblies with the air chambers in each flotation compartment being provided with means for communicating the interior of adjacent air chambers in each flotation compartment.

A coil spring is disposed about the lower end of each of the mounting bolts between the confronting surfaces of the lower plate and the air chamber supported thereby and a coil spring is disposed about the intermediate portion of each of the mounting bolts between the upper and lower confronting surfaces of the air chamber. In this manner, should the ship begin to sink, the water will first engage the core blocks of the third flotation member whereupon their buoyancy will slide the blocks upwardly along their mounting bolt to slightly compress the air chamber disposed immediately thereabove. Of course, a means is provdied for maintaining a supply of air within the air chambers of the belt assembly.

If the belt assembly is to be positioned outwardly of the sides of a ship to also comprise a bumper assembly, the flotation assemblies are housed within a housing having upper and lower longitudinally extending walls interconnected at their outer ends by means of an outer wall. The belt assembly includes a plurality of flotation compartments and these compartments are defined by gusset atent plates secured between top and bottom walls and the outer wall and the sides of the ship between adjacent longitudinally spaced flotation assemblies. In this manner, each of the compartments is separated from the adjacent compartments. The bottom and outer walls of the housing are provided with suitable openings for each compartment whereby air may be circulated through the compartments to prevent deterioration of the first, second and third flotation members and also to enable the entrance of water into the compartments should the belt assembly become submerged upon the partial sinking of the ship to which it is secured.

The main object of this invention is to provide a floatation device for ships being capable of preventing the ship from sinking even if the entire interior of the ship has filled with water.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immedialely preceding object, is to provide a flotation device in the form of a belt encircling and projecting outwardly beyond the sides of the ship whereby the flotation device may also be used as a bumper.

And a final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a flotation device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and dependable in operation so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and substantially fool-proof.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsesequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the. accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, andin which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a ship showing the manner in which the flotation device of the V instant invention may be utilized to form divisions be-' of a portion of the flotation device illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, parts of the flotation device being broken away and shown in section.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken subview taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 6-6 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7--7 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURES 3 through 6 in particular, there will be seen a ship generally designated by the reference numeral 10 including sides 12. A form of the flotation device is generally designated by the reference numeral 14 and includes a horizontal mounting plate 16 which extends around and projects outwardly from the sides 12 of the Patented Apr. 10, 1962 secured to the sides 12 of the ship 16 by means of suitable fasteners 22. The horizontal mounting plate 16 projects horizontally and outwardly from the outer surface of the vertical inner wall 26 although it is to be understood that the vertical inner wall 20 is not required if the flotation device 14 is to be constructed as a permanent part of the ship 10 inasmuch as the horizontal mounting plate 16 could project outwardly directly from the sides 12 of the ship it The belt assembly also includes top and bottom walls 24 and 26 which project outwardly from the inner wall 20. The outer edges of the top and bottom walls 24 and 26 are interconnected by means of an outer wall 28 and the outer edges of the horizontal mounting plate 16 are secured between the confronting surfaces of the upper wall 24 and the outer wall 23 in any convenient manner as at 30.

A plurality of gussets 32 are secured between the confronting surfaces of the inner and outer walls 20 and 28 and the upper and lower walls 24 and 26. The upper ends of the gussets 32 terminate a spaced distance from the juncture of the upper inner ends of the top wall 24 and the upper end of the inner wall 20 whereby each of the compartments 34 formed between adjacent gussets 32 are at least partially separated from one another.

The outer wall 28 is provided with at least one opening 36 for each compartment 34 as is the lower wall 26. The openings 36 in the outer and lower walls 28 and 26 are provided with rearwardly opening louvers 38 whereby air may circulate in each of the compartments and the entrance of spray into the compartment 34 is elim inated.

Disposed in each of the flotation compartments is at least one flotation assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 40 which includes first, second and third flotation members generally designated by the reference numerals 42, 44 and 46.

As can be best seen from FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the flotation member 42 includes a plurality of horizontal ly disposed and vertically stacked balsa wood blocks. The second flotation member 44 of each flotation assembly 40 comprises an inflatable resilient air chamber 50 and the third flotation member 46 of each flotation assembly 40 comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed and vertically stacked cork blocks 52. The first, second and third flotation members of each flotation assembly 40 are provided with vertically aligned bores 54 through which there is slidably disposed a mounting bolt 56 whose upper end is threaded and slidably disposed and secured through a bore 58 formed in the mounting plate 16, by means of a suitable fastener 60. The lower end of the bolt 56 is provided with a terminal diametrically enlarged head portion 62 and slidably disposed through a bore 64 formed in a lower plate 66 disposed beneath the lowermost block of cork 52 of the third flotation member 46. A retaining washer 68 is disposed about the bolt 56 and between the confronting surfaces of the plate 66 and the diametrically enlarged head 62.

A compression spring '70 is disposed about the lower end of the bolt 56 and between the confronting surfaces of the lower plate 66 and the air chamber 50. Additionally, a coil spring 72 is disposed about the intermediate portion of the rod 56 and between the confronting surfaces of the top and bottom of the air chamber 50. In this manner, water entering the belt assembly 18 by means of the openings 36 rises in the chambers 34 until the buoyancy of the cork blocks 52 raise the third flotation members 46 on the rods 56 and slightly compress the flotation chambers 44.

With attention now directed more specifically to FIG- URE of the drawings, it will be noted that the interior of each of the air chambers 50 is communicated with a source of compressed air (not shown) by means of a suitable air manifold assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 74. The end of the air manifold assembly 74 remote from the air chambers 50 is communicated with the outlet line '76 of a suitable source of compressed air (not shown) by means of an air valve assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 78 including a valve member 36 which may be actuated by means of handle 32 to communicate the compressed air source with the manifold assembly 74 in order to increase the air pressure Within the air chambers 50.

With attention now directed to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen a modified from of flotation device generally referred to by the reference numeral 14 which is adapted to constitute the division between vertically spaced decks of a ship.

The flotation device 14 is substantially the same in construction as the device 14 and includes a horizontal mounting plate 16 constituting a portion of the subflooring for one of the decks disposed about the ship. The flotation assemblies of the flotation device 14' are identical to the flotation assemblies of the flotation device 14. However, the flotation device 14 includes a plurality of transversely spaced flotation assemblies in each flotation compartment and the flotation compartments are formed by vertically disposed and transversely extending gussets 32, see FIGURE 1, secured between the side 12 of the ship 10 and the outer wall 28 of the vertically spaced decks 84 and 86.

The air chambers 50 of each set of transversely spaced flotation assemblies of each flotation compartment of the flotation device 14 are in communication by means of inner connecting air passage assemblies 88 whose opposite ends are enlarged and secure through adjacent sides of adjacent air chambers 50 as at 90.

The lower plates 66 of each of the flotation assemblies 40 are provided with a plurality of openings 92. These openings provide a means for further assisting air circulation through the flotation assemblies and also a means of further insuring that water may contact the cork blocks 52 of the third flotation members 46.

With particular attention now directed to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that when the device 14' is disposed intermediate adjacent vertically spaced decks 84 and 86, the lower ends of the flotation assemblies 40 comprises a portion of the deck disposed immediately therebelow. If it is desired, suitable covering for the lower ends of the flotation assemblies 40 in the form of perforated sealing'tile 94 may be provided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A flotation device comprising a belt assembly secured to and disposed about the sides of a ship, said belt assembly including longitudinally spaced flotation compartments, each of said compartments including at least one flotation assembly, said assemblies each including first, second and third flotation members, said first, second and third flotation members being vertically superposed and the center flotation member comprising an inflatable air chamber, said belt assembly including a horizontally disposed mounting plate, means securing said flotation assemblies in depending relation beneath said mounting plate, said first, second and third flotation members cornprising a plurality of stacked cork blocks, an inflatable air chamber, and a plurality of stacked wood blocks respectively, said flotation members of each flotation assembly being disposed in vertically stacked relation with said third member disposed uppermost and immediately above said second member, vertically extending and aligned bores formed through the members of each of said assemblies, said securing means comprising mounta ing bolts secured through said assemblies with the upper end of said bolt secured through said mounting plate, said bolts being slidably received through said mounting plate, said bolts each being freely slidable in said bores on said first, second and third members, a lower plate carried by each of said assemblies through which the lower end of said bolts are slidably received and secured, means disposed between the confronting surfaces of each of said second members and the corresponding lower plate yieldably urging said lower plates and said second members away from each other.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of each of said air chambers yieldably urging said surfaces away from each other.

3. A flotation device comprising a belt assembly secured to and disposed about the sides of a ship, said belt assembly including longitudinally spaced flotation cornpartmcnts, each of said compartments including at least one flotation assembly, said assemblies each including first, second and third flotation members, said first, second, and third flotation members comprising a plurality of vertically superposed cork blocks, an inflatable air chamber and a plurality of wood blocks respectively, said belt assembly including a horizontally disposed mounting plate, means securing said flotation assemblies in depending relation beneath said mounting plate, said mounting plate projecting horizontally and outwardly from the sides of said ship and constituting a portion of the subflooring of a deck extending outwardly from the side of the ship, the lower ends of said flotation assemblies comprising a portion of the ceiling of a deck disposed immediately therebelow.

4. A flotation device comprising a belt assembly secured to and disposed about the sides of a ship, said belt assembly including longitudinally spaced flotation compartments, each of said compartments including at least one flotation assembly, said assemblies each including first, second and third flotation members, said first, second,

and third flotation members comprising a plurality of vertically superposed cork blocks, an inflatable air chamber and a plurality of wood blocks respectively, said belt assembly including a horizontally disposed mounting plate, means securing said flotation assemblies in depending relation beneath said mounting plate, a housing enclosing said flotation assemblies including outwardly projecting top and bottom walls extending outwardly from the sides of said ship interconnected at their outer edges by an outer side wall, gusset plates secured between the confronting surfaces of said top and bottom walls and said outer side wall and the side of said ship between adjacent longitudinally spaced flotation assemblies defining said compartments.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said top wall is outwardly and downwardly inclined, said bottom and outer side walls each being provided with at least one opening for each of said compartments.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said flotation compartments each include a plurality of transversely spaced flotation assemblies, means communicating the interiors of said air chambers of each of said compartments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,321 Grell Feb. 12, 1884 647,813 Dolone Apr. 17, 1900 1,181,048 Warren Apr. 25, 1916 1,195,857 Royston Aug. 22, 1916 1,294,081 Gasiorowski Feb. 11, 1919 1,337,747 Batorfy Apr. 20, 1920 2,028,060 Gilbert Ian. 14, 1936 2,127,871 Kozlofi 'Aug. 23, 1938 2,924,192 Salvage Feb. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,524 Great Britain of 1884 12,151 Great Britain of 1906 

